The Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (www.tlmi.com) encouraged its members to stand out at this year's annual meeting held Oct. 21-24 in Waikoloa, HI, which was themed: “Differentiate: It Makes All the Difference.” While enjoying the sun and sand, attendees were asked some tough questions by conference speakers about their businesses and how to differentiate themselves.

To help members brainstorm answers, TLMI invited Sam Geist, a professional speaker, author, facilitator and consultant, to host an interactive discussion on ways to re-engineer companies for growth. Geist offered solutions and ideas on how to effectively differentiate yourself and move ahead in the marketplace.

“Differentiation is almost always about leadership,” TLMI says. “It's not necessarily about winning the race; often it's about changing the race altogether.”

Giving attendees a chance to witness the results of differentiation, TLMI held a gala reception and dinner Oct. 23 to toast the winners of the 2007 TLMI Awards Competition.

Out of 317 entries from 50 companies worldwide, the (A) Symbion wine bottle and neck label from Taylor-Made Labels, Inc. (Lake Oswego, OR), differentiated itself from the pack and took home Best of Show. Taylor-Made Labels used a four-color process with two spot colors using UV-flexo inks to create the front, back and neck labels. The converter added embossing and two spot overprint varnishes as highlights on 60-lb gloss PS stock. Along with Best in Show, Taylor-Made Labels won a first- and second-place award.

TLMI also recognized two companies for their innovative labels. Schreiner Group GmbH & Co. KG of Oberschleissheim, Germany, won for its (B) double-sided plastoclear label with an integrated microchip. Using FLEXcon film on a letterpress, the company made a label that can show proof of the bearer's identification; be tamper- and counterfeit-proof; have high-quality haptic and visual characteristics; and be machine-readable. Used for event admission purposes, the label can serve as a token for coat checks and in prize drawings, as well as a means of payment. Schreiner Group took home four TLMI awards overall.

The second Innovation Award winner was McDowell Label & Screen Printing (Plano, TX), which also took home an additional 11 awards. Its (C) Back in Blaque label for a tanning product was made using HDUV flexo, foil stamping and screen doming with DuPont plates, Water Ink Technologies inks and an MPS press. The brand owner challenged McDowell to create a sleeve that was “outta sight.” McDowell stepped up by foil stamping the silver for the zipper and medallion and then printing a multi-dimensional effect for the product name, zipper and medallion that would shrink in register.

TLMI presented 81 awards: A best of show, two innovator awards, 55 first-place and 23 second-place awards.